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LGBT Rights in Tennessee State

    Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    ✔ Legal
    Censorship
    ✖ State-enforced
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Illegal
    Non-binary gender recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Employment Discrimination
    ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
    Housing Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Adoption
    ✔ Legal
    Military
    ✔ Legal
    Donating Blood
    ✔ Legal
    Conversion Therapy
    ✖ Not banned
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal

Recent studies in Tennessee show a discernible level of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights among the population.

History

Homosexual activity in Tennessee

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Homosexual activity in Tennessee is legal.

Current status
Since Jan 26, 1996
Legal
Campbell v. Sundquist struck down the state's Homosexual Practices Act, ruling the state's same-sex-only sodomy law violated their right to privacy under Tennessee's Constitution, which is a right that was recognized in the 1992 case of Davis v. Davis.
Added by imullin01  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Tennessee

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Same-sex marriage in Tennessee is legal.

Current status
Since Jun 26, 2015
Legal
The US Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide.
Added by danlev  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

May 15, 1996–Jun 26, 2015
Unrecognized
Tennessee Act of 1996 define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Added by vviet93  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Tennessee

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Censorship of LGBT Issues in Tennessee is state-enforced.

Current status
Since Apr 1, 2023
State-enforced
Tennessee introduced a bill banning "adult show performances" where minors could be present or be able to see.

The wording of the bill describes "dressing as a gender different from the one assigned at birth" as part of a performance to be not suited for minors and thus banned in public spaces.

This not only bans drag shows, but any performance from a trans person in public.
Added by Notdog1996  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Tennessee

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Right to change legal gender in Tennessee is illegal.

Current status
Since Jul 1, 2023
Illegal
On July 1st 2023, Tennessee passed a new law preventing people from changing their gender marker on their documents if it differs from the one assigned at birth. This includes birth certificates, driver's licenses, and other legal documents.
Added by Notdog1996  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until Jul 1, 2023
Legal, but requires surgery
Requires surgery to change drivers license. Not legal to change birth certificate.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Tennessee

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Tennessee is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Not currently recognized.
Added by Notdog1996  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Tennessee

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LGBT discrimination in Tennessee is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Not protected
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Jan 1, 2018–Sep 1, 2018
Illegal in some contexts
Only gender identity discrimination protection state wide. being implemented in various cities and counties.
Added by Ausyk  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Tennessee

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LGBT employment discrimination in Tennessee is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since Jun 15, 2020
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
Added by Notdog1996  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Dec 16, 2014–Sep 1, 2018
No protections
As of December 16, 2014, there are no legal protections for people who are LGBT in regards to employment.
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Dec 12, 2014–Sep 1, 2018
Ambiguous
under federal law section VII stat court ruled that sex discrimination includes sexual orientation and gender identity. as well under federal hate crime law for sexual orientation and gender identity. under state hate crime for sexual orientation.
Added by Ausyk  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Tennessee

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LGBT housing discrimination in Tennessee is no protections.

Current status
No protections
This state does not provide any legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identification.

However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Tennessee

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Same-sex adoption in Tennessee is legal.

Current status
Since Jun 26, 2017
Legal
Any single person is permitted to adopt per statute. State law allows any married individual to adopt their spouse's child via stepparent adoption, even though some counties or judges might give LGBT prospective parents trouble.

Married LGBT couples can adopt jointly.
Sources:
www.lambdalegal.org/states-region/tennessee
36 TCA §36-1-115
familyequality.org/wp-conte…
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Mar 7, 2018–Sep 9, 2018
Legal
Since 2015. no laws restricting adoption.
Added by Ausyk  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in Tennessee

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Serving openly in military in Tennessee is legal.

Current status
Since Sep 20, 2011
Legal
Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Tennessee

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Blood donations by MSMs in Tennessee is legal.

Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Legal
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Added by 4anahiv  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Apr 2, 2020–May 11, 2023
Banned (3-month deferral)
Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
Added by JerofDoorhandle  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Dec 21, 2015–Apr 2, 2020
Banned (1-year deferral)
Blood donation centers followed the non-binding FDA one year deferral guidance.
Added by JerofDoorhandle  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

1983–Dec 2, 2015
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Ban on blood donations from MSMs applies to any man who has had sex, even once, with another man on or after January 1, 1977.
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Tennessee

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Conversion therapy in Tennessee is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion Therapy is currently legal. No law currently bans it, despite organizations such as the American Psychological Association denouncing it.
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Tennessee

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Equal age of consent in Tennessee is equal.

Current status
Equal
Age of consent laws are equitable regardless of gender or orientation.
Sources:
Tennessee Law: Article 39-13-506
Added by imullin01  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log